The device ships with preloaded applications including Android Market, Google Talk and Google Maps. It will run Android 2.1 initially and be upgraded to Android 2.2 in early 2011, according to a Philips product manager.

It includes 16GB of built-in storage to which another 32GB can be added with a MicroSD card. GoGear Connect also includes Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and a 2-megapixel camera that can capture video at VGA resolution.

It has a 3.2-inch touch-screen with a resolution of 480 by 320 pixels and weighs 128 grams, or about 11.5 ounces.

The battery can play up to 25 hours of audio or 5 hours of video, according to Philips.

It has many features similar to Apple's iPod Touch, but it differs in that the GoGear Connect employs a resistive touch-screen, unlike the iPod Touch's capacitive touch-screen. That means a bit more pressure has to be applied to activate the on-screen buttons. The media player includes a trackball as and alternative input method.

The GoGear Connect will be available in the U.S. and Europe in the coming weeks for 249&#8364; or about US$320.

Nick Barber covers general technology news in both text and video for IDG News Service. E-mail him at Nick_Barber@idg.com and follow him on Twitter at @nickjb.

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